House numbering and the like



P 3, 9- w. D. HERWIG 1,727,234

HOUSE NUMBERING AND THE-LIKE Filed May 23, 1927 Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM D. HERWIG, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

HOUSE NUMBERING- AND THE LIKE.

Application filed May 23,

This invention has to do with improvements in arrangements for displaying the numbering of houses, apartments, and other buildings generally. The elements herein disclosed are primarily intended for the dis play of the street numbers of apartment buildings and structures of that kind, but it will presently appear that said features are in nowise limited to this or any other particular class of service.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a numbering arrangement which is associated with a lamp or the like by means of which the same is illuminated and impressibly exhibited so as to cause the number or designation of the building to stand out very prominently and effectively at night time. In this connection it is a further object to provide an arrangement which will also prominently display the number of the building during the day time so that such number will be emphasized with equal advantage at all times both day and night.

More particularly it is an object to place r the numeral or other symbol over a window which is illuminated from behind so that said numeral willthus stand out with the desired prominence due to illumination. In this connection it is an object to provide an improved form of device whereby the numeral or group of numerals or symbols may be supported directly across the window, and attached to the opposite edges of the window frame which is illuminated.

A further object in connection with the foregoing is to provide a series of numerals or symbols which are so formed and related to each other that when joined together they will be consecutivelyconnected in a complementary fashion, whereby they are all brought into the same plane and at the same time connected together with proper overlaps.

A further object in connection with the foregoing is to provide and connect sections by means of which the string or group of numerals of said symbols is connected to the opposite sides of the frame of the illuminated window. These and connecting sections are also of complementary form such that when they are connected to the opposite sides of 1927. Serial No. 193,535.-

the Window frame they will establish the desired support and at the same time cause the string of numerals or symbols to lie in the desired plane which is parallel to the window.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of a lamp having a plurality of Window faces lyingin different planes, but all illuminated from behind, together with symbols on the different windows; all of said symbols being so related to each other that When considered together they supply full information asto the locations of the various entrances of a building all ofwhich however are designated bythe same street number.

Other objects and uses of the invention will appear from a detailed description of the same which consists inthe features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a face view of a three window lamp having applied thereto the features of the present invention, the central window being provided with the display numerals, and the side windows being provided with identifying designations for different entrances, all of whichhowever are identified by the same street numeral;

Fig. 2 shows a fragmentaryvertical section on the line22 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows'but on an enlarged scale;and i D Fig. 8 shows a fragmentary horizontal section on theline 3 3'of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, but also on an enlarged scale. i V

The lamp housing illustrated in the drawings is designatedin its entirety by the'numeral 5. It is of any suitable construction, the details of which'may be modified according to the wishes of the designer. This lamp housing is providedwith a window 6 suitably illuminated from behind, as for example by means of an electric lamp (not shown). In the particular construction illustrated thewindow 6'is verticallyelongated and is set behind a frame 7 having the window opening 8. The use of a window of this general shape (elongated vertically) is desirable since thereby it becomes possible to accommodatea string of three or four numerals placed in vertical alignment, and at the same time a pleasing and aesthetic appearance is provided. a

The particular lamp housing illustrated is also provided with side windows 9 and 10 which are located at an angle to the window 6, as will be readily apparent from Figs. 1 and 3. Such an arrangement is desirable to use in connection with the display of the house number applied to two or more entrances but as far as certain features of the invention are concerned the use of two or more windows is unnecessary.

Extending across thefront window 6 is the string of numerals, shown for convenience in Fig. 1 as 3333. Each of these numerals 11 is formed ofthe desired'outline and shape; and at its top edge is provided with upwardly reaching lug 12, and at its bottom edge with downwardly reaching lug 13. These lugs12- and 13 are in vertical alignment witheach other but they are off set with respect to the central verticalplane 14, which passesacross the front faces of the lugs 12 and across the back faces of the lugs 13. Consequently whensaidl'ugs are joined together by screws 15, all of the numerals are brought into a common vertical plane and in alignment as evident from Fig. 2.

When a series of such numerals or symbols has been thus asseinbledit'will present a top lug 12 and a bottom lug 13 which,'by proper proportioning lie in. relatively close proximity to the top and bottom edges of the frame of the window 6. These lugs should be connected to the window frame, forv which purpose I have provided top and bottom connectors 16 and 17 respectively. The top connector 16 extends between the backwardly displaced lug 12 and the. top 17 of the window frame; and the connector 18 extends between the forwardly displaced bottom lug 13 and the bottom. portion 19- of the window frame. Preferably the-connector 16 comprises a block having top and bottom lugs 20 and 21 both of which lie to the front of the central plane 1 1 so that the lug 20 can overlie'the window frame and thelug 21 can overlie the companion lug. 12. Preferably also the bottom connector 17' has a top lug 22 lying behind the central plane 14 and a bottom lug 23 lying in front of said central-plane so that the lug 22 can take its place behind the lowermost lug 13 while the lug 23 takes its place in front of the bottom portion 19 of'the window frame.

Screws 24 and 25 serve to attach the connectors 16 and 17 to the window frame.

In connection withv the foregoing; it will also be noted that the use, of, top and bottom connectorsmakes it possible to adapt a string of numeralsof standard size and shape to window openings of difierent vertical sizes,

thereby greatly increasing the range of usefulness of the invention and making it pos- 'nectors for connecting the top top symbol and the bottom lug of the botlike, the string of numerals may refer to one or both of the entrances designated by the symbols 26 and 27; and by placing thelamp between said entrances, said symbols 26 and 27 will also direct the interestedparty in the proper direction for the entrance sought.

It'will be understood that while I have herein shown and described the features of my invention as applied: particularly to house numbering'systems and'the'like, still they may also be used to advantage in various other applications; and therefore I contemplate the use of said featuresfor various purposes where it is necessary to display numbers or other symbols, particularly where illuminated.

While I have herein shown and described only a single embodiment of the features of my present invention still I do. not intend to limit myself thereto. except as I may do so in the claims.

I" claim:

"1. A device of the class described; comprising in combination a lamp housing. having a vertical. elongated window, and a string of symbols located in vertical alignment and extending vertically across said window, each symbol having top and bottom lugs, the top lugs being ofiset to bring their front faces into alignment with a'common medial plane and the bottom'lugs beingolfset to bring their back faces into alignment with said medial plane, means for connecting the top and bottom companion lugs of consecutive symbols together, and top. and bottom conlug of the tom symbol to the top and bottom portions of the window frame, the top connectorbeing provided with a pair of front lugs. having their rear faces in alignment with said me-. dial plane, and the bottom connector being provided with a top lug offset rearwardly and having its front face in alignment with said medial plane and being provided'witha bottom lug ofiset forwardly and having its back face in alignment with said medial plane, substantially as and for thefpurpose set forth.

2. A device of the. class described comprising a lamp housing having a window located within a suitable window opening together with a series of symbols. extending across the window, opening and in alignment with each other, said symbols being provided on opposite edges with lugs facing in opposite directions said lugs lying on opposite sides of a common medial plane and with their contacting surfaces lying in the same medial plane, means for connecting said lugs together in complementary fashion, and suitable connectors intermediate between the end symbols and the adjacent edges of the window frame, said connectors being also pro- Vided with lugs complementary to the adj 21- 10 surfaces of the window frame substantially 15 as described.

WILLIAM D. HERWIG. 

